2012 Furlough Retreat Video: Enjoy!

  

 Final Heart-felt Thoughts from two

Global Missionary Women attendees:

"You have been an expression of the Father's love and tenderness to me.
I have been blessed by the women I have met in my small group, and by the generous spirits of the volunteers. The Body at work, caring for one another, is a most beautiful thing!"
~Retreat attendee

An introvert’s perspective of women’s retreats:

The closer time came for the retreat,

The more reluctant I felt.

Anxiety

Caution

Distrust

Fear and doubt hovered over my soul.

Devotional for the day

Was from “doubting Thomas”

So many sweet gifts

Time to process

Messages of hope

Pampering touch

Prayers from new sisters

Messages touching deep roots.

Glad I came

Thank you Father

For knowing my frame

And

Keeping me from backing out

 of your blessed retreat.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 30

You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! (Revelation 5:9, 10,12)

Alleluia! You are indeed worthy, Lord! Thank you for Your precious life-giving blood. Thank you that we are part of Your Body around the world. Thank you for calling people from every tribe, language, people and nation. Thank you that we have been a part of this plan through every prayer we've offered for these missionaries living around the world proclaiming Your salvation. Take our offerings of prayer and multiply them. We give You all our praise! You are worthy!

Jesus, lead the staff this morning in debriefing their experiences together. May it be a time of thanksgiving, praise and mutual affirmation. The WOTH staff's desire is to prepare the volunteer staff to return home and continue to process all that they have heard and learned, along with the ability to share the Retreat's impact with family, friends and supporters. May we each do this with excellence, giving You all the glory and praise. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Rest, Refresh, Restore: Day Three

Having fun at the Clothing Boutique
where all clothes are new and free!

More comments from our Retreat guests:



"Great time in a room full of sisters in Christ yet still being alone with Christ who loves me and wants to spend time with me." CB

Ahhh...

Thank you all so much! The WOTH Denver team has met all our needs. It has been a wonderful time of being in His presence. AB

Fashion Show!

Jamie Jo, WOTH blogger

When feeling broken, as I am right now, it is a gift to receive grace from other broken sisters. I have appreciated the willingness of those ministering at the WOTH Retreat to tell their own wounds. It has ministered deeply to my wounded heart and given me hope.



Such a joy to be here. I could not have imagined how much I needed nor how completely I was ministered to. Beth, South Africa.

Laughter during "Funny Stories" Night

This retreat has refreshed and restored me in ways that I never even knew were possible. I've met women form all over who are going through similar situations. It's been wonderful to swap stories, laugh, cry and share these precious moments together. Thank you WOTH for providing a place for us to just rest, restore and refresh. It has been such a wonderful week. Sarah Witt, Botswana/Philippines.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 29

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Corrie, Ruth and Sherrill

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Create in each of these servants of Yours a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within them. Restore to them the joy of Your salvation and grant them a willing spirit to sustain them (Psalm 51:10, 12).

Today is the last day of the retreat (already!).  May we yield to Your Spirit to allow You to do what You delight to do in each of us.

There are women serving cross-culturally who are new to their fields or mid-way through their time; some are even at the end of many years overseas. In whatever state they find themselves in, Lord, we ask that they continue to be purified and walk in holiness. In the wear and tear of daily life, may they experience Your joy, and a steadfast, willing spirit to persevere in serving You. So much focus is on "doing" ministry, life, and relationships. Father, remind them that Your heart desires and invites them to intimacy with You, to rest within You, to be Abba’s child.

Just as You have adopted us into Your family, several of these women have adopted little ones into their families.  Lord, we know that as Your children we give You much joy, and yet also heartache.  Jesus, please give abundant love, grace, forgiveness, perseverance and hope to these parents, along with a large dose of humor.  Be honored in each life.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Being Filled Up: Day Two

 Candid comments from women attending the Retreat: 

What a blessing to be ministered to and to have people praying for each one of us.  It is so rare for us to receive so many blessings and encouragement to help us be renewed and restored for service.  WOTH really understands us and meets those needs we missionary women have. JCS­­

Shopping at the WOTH Clothing Boutique.
All clothes are new and donated for the
women to pick at least 3 free new outfits.

Wow- this is an incredible retreat.  I am blown away at how much planning and care has gone into preparing for this event.  Thank you so much for the love that has been lavished on me.  New clothes, my first ever pedicure, books, prayer and so much more.  Very, very grateful- the love of Christ is SO evident. 

Amazing ---from the prayers to the chocolates, the drawings, and prizes- and the speaker is really scratching where it itches.  Thanks for the prayers…Jill

Grace Cabalka, retreat speaker, illustrating
"being filled" by Jesus.

First-ever pedicure.

Wow…Just Wow.

The Lord orchestrated everything so that I could attend this retreat and I feel like He is speaking directly to my heart.  M.Odel

I can’t stop crying.  All this for me!

This is meeting a deep pain I have inside!  I am so thankful Jesus wanted me here.

Estella learning colors to wear.

We arrived in the U.S. three weeks ago. Leaving, packing and ALL the transitions are overwhelming.  Coming to this retreat is the greatest gift I could ever receive.  My empty cup is filling up so fast because you are pouring so graciously Jesus into me.  THANK YOU!  Estella

Every pedicure ends with a loving prayer.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 28

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Patti, Leticia and Joy

Country: Great Britain

Lord Jesus, help us live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit.  Then we won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. May we choose to be led by the Spirit. It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get our own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex, a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage, frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness, paranoid loneliness, cutthroat competition, all -consuming yet never-satisfied wants, a brutal temper, an impotence to love or be loved, divided homes and divided lives, small-minded and lopsided pursuits, the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival...Instead, help us live God's way that leads to affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.  We develop a willingness to stick with things and are able to marshal and direct our energies wisely (Galatians 5;16,19-23, The Message).

The missionary women we are praying for are normally balancing ten balls in the air at a time.  There is a real need for coordination, along with the wisdom to do so without the balls falling and hitting them on their heads.  With technology, we ask that they learn and practice effective time management with work, email, home, social and prayer. We praise You that each woman is an original. May she choose the life of the Spirit and not just hold it as an idea in her head, or a sentiment in her heart. Let each woman work out its implications in every detail of her life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Retreat Begins!

 

Our guests are greeted by our friendly Volunteer staff upon arrival to the 2012 Furlough Retreat

 at the Inverness Hotel, Denver.

A Welcome Gift awaits each woman attending. Fun!

Once the women are settled into their rooms, we convene for a time of community and worship. 

It's a time to begin to exhale and breathe in God's lavish love.

Grace Cabalka, our Retreat speaker, opens the Word and 

introduces her teaching topics for the women attending.

The evening ends with a quiet time of Personal Sanctuary. 

Each woman is prayed over silently by her small group leader. 

30 Days of Prayer: Day 27

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Janet, Jean and Rachel

Country: Thailand

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant giving light to the eyes (Psalm 19:7-8).

Father God, we ask that You help each woman focus their heart and mind on Your Word, leading them through darkness to light, reviving their souls, making them wise, and giving them a joyful heart with a renewed light in their eyes. May they each hear what You have to say to them intimately. Thank you that You know and care about their deepest needs and desires. We pray that they will feel seen and heard with interest.  Our desire is that they leave the Retreat having a personal word from You and feeling reconnected to You.

It is not easy to live away from family and friends, and have to stay in touch long-distance. We pray that these ladies will be able to maintain healthy long-distance relationships with family and friends. Thank you for Skype, but comfort them when a real hug would go a long ways to alleviate loneliness and homesickness. Richly bless their times with special new memories while in the US on home assignment.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 26

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Barbara, Lisa and Karen

Country: Nepal

This is our prayer, that our love will flourish and that we will not only love much but well.  May we learn to love appropriately.  Help us use our head and test our feelings to that our love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush.  May we live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11, The Message).

Today is the first day of the Retreat!  May the staff personify this verse as we greet each woman as a unique individual, and are interested in her story.  For those who "don't do women's retreats" or don't know someone else who is coming, surprise them with quick significant connections. We ask that they quickly feel "at home."  May a spirit of prayer permeate the hotel and grounds. We ask that they are able to decompress quickly and relax. Please bless and direct our small group times, and the Sanctuary of Prayer this evening (quiet time to pray, as leaders pray over each woman silently). Prepare each heart to hear from You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Gifts in Action

As I was taking pictures today, I was taken by the thought of God's gifts. 

I get the privilege of standing behind the lens and watching God work through His people. The leadership used their gifts to train (and entertain) us, as well as challenge us to think outside the box. 

The servant attitude of the volunteer team caring for one another and coming together to prepare a place for the attendees encouraged my heart. It was really inspiring as I looked at each gift being shared - be it prayer or handicrafts or a hug or items donated by many generous hearts - and seeing them come together so that others will receive a gift in return. It was 1 Peter 4:10 in action - "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace..."

Kari Berglund - Retreat Photographer

30 Days of Prayer: Day 25

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Jane, Sarah and Carol

Country: Tanzania

You are familiar with all my ways. You hem me in -- behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Where can I go from Your Spirit? If I am in the heavens, depths, far side of the sea...even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast (Psalm 139: 3, 5).

May each woman rest and rely on these truths. As mothers, free the women from worry and concern about their adult kids, so they can have peace. Reaffirm to them that You are greater than anything they face. Help them not to blame themselves for things that go wrong in their kids' lives. Redeem parental mistakes and release them from guilt. Help them forgive their kids for things they've done that hurt or disappoint them. Help them forgive anyone who has hurt their kids in any way. Give them faith to believe and patience to wait for the answers. Pour out Your spirit of wisdom and revelation on each child so that they may know You.

The first Retreat starts tomorrow. Lord, go before each woman traveling and grant her safety. Watch over each family left behind (for some dads this is their first time alone with the kids!). May the women be able to fully participate in each day without worrying about home.

May the volunteer staff enjoy working together and be unified.  Let a spirit of joy abound!  In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Volunteers Arrive

On Saturday, June 30, thirty-five volunteers and staff arrived from around the US to begin preparations for the arrival of the attendees on Tuesday, July 3rd. 

We enjoyed an evening of getting to know each other and praying for one another. 

Today our team bonded further with various small group opportunities. 

Excitement and anticipation is high as we begin to see how God is already working among us.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 24

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Melissa, Ruth, Nola and Deborah

Country: India

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12).

Heavenly Father, some of the attendees are coming with heavy burdens in their hearts. They may have hurts from traumas suffered while serving You oversees or through relationships gone awry. It is possible that some of them are grieving loss of parents, caring for their elderly folks or children who are going to relocate for college in the States. Others may be wrestling with questions of faith or the mystery of why there is so much suffering in our world.

We ask that they feel safe to process these hard circumstances; may they slow down to begin to think.  Shower them with Your presence and assurance of their unique identity of a beloved daughter of Yours.  Please give them courage to face what is in their hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 23

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Joyce, Susan, Lois and Lydia

Country: Cameroon

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

In whatever circumstances the women are arriving with, may they experience Your light and hope in some tangible way during the Retreat. May God visit these women with grace in their seasons of transitions. We pray that the barren landscape of trial will become the fertile soil for new growth. May our gracious God revive their spirit and restore their laughter. May they find Him in their pain and trust Him in their waiting. May the One who redeems all things meet them powerfully as they journey through a "Land Between" ( from The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions, Jeff Manion).

As Hope of the Harvest (WOTH's micro-loan ministry arm) is presented to the ladies at this Retreat as another venue of encouragement and resource for them, would You speak to them clearly if it is meant for them. We thank You for this incredible possibility for them to reach out and come alongside their impoverished national friends. Orchestrate the conversations and connections You know need to be made. In Jesus' name,

30 Days of Prayer: Day 22

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Sarah, Charity, Angela and Melissa

Country: South Africa

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith...and the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (I Peter 5:6-11). 

We pray protection for the women's families and ministries they've left behind; we ask that they be fully present for every aspect of the Retreat. Grant them peace of mind and acute ability to focus.

Many of the attendees are young moms. They probably left for the mission field with high expectations of "serving the Lord" with their husbands. The reality is that few expectations turn out to be what was envisioned. Their response to the "change in plans" and the stress surrounding it can affect relationships, and lead to questions as to their identity and purpose.  We pray that they feel safe at the Retreat and are able to share their hearts with their small group, counselor or other attendee.

Lord, confirm to these young moms who are homeschooling that they are doing vital ministry at this point in their life. Give them unexpected opportunities to connect with national moms and be godly role models for them. May these moms be affirmed in their value and encouraged to remember that this is for a season by older women at the Retreat, In Jesus' name, Amen.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 21

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Staff: Grace (Retreat speaker) and Christy Joy (Worship leader)

Country: Japan

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12, 13).

Lord, we thank you that Grace is coming as our speaker to Denver. Her passion for the Word runs deep, along with her heart for women on the mission field. We look forward to her leading us in the Truth. Father, would You please guide her every thought as she is still before You waiting to hear what You would have her share with the women. Guard her from distractions, help her focus, and give her insights all the way up to the time and during her talks; grant her the gift of discernment to be extremely sensitive to Your Spirit's guidance.

Lord, thank you that Christy Joy will lead us in worship. You know how music is a balm to our souls and connects us deeply with You. For those women who are exhausted and dry, may the music and words fall gently upon them and bring about new life.

Our prayer is that each time Your Word is sung, prayed or taught at the retreats, that it truly penetrate each of our souls, joints, marrow, judging our every thought and attitude, bringing glory and pleasure to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 20

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Sarah, Charity and Angela

Retreat Staff: Julie, Joy, Diane and Kari

Country: Ethiopia

God is strong and He wants us (and attendees) to be strong. So, let us take everything the Master has set out for us, well made weapons of the best materials. Help us put them to use so that we will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws our way. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Help us be prepared. We are up against far more than we can handle on our own. May truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation be more than words. May we learn to apply them. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Compel us to pray hard and long. Prompt us to pray for each other. Help us keep our eyes open. Remind us to lift each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. We pray that we will know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all (Ephesians 6:10-20, The Message).

The staff knows that they are in a ministry that flies in the face of the devil. We pray, in Jesus' name, for the covering of His blood over every aspect of this Retreat. May the Holy Spirit guard their hearts and move them to pray often and give grace freely to one another. Our desire is that this time away for the ladies be a sanctuary of rest and freedom. In Jesus' name, Amen.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 19

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Linda, Susan and Hydi

Country: Mozambique

Empower us (and the missionaries) Holy Spirit, to let the peace of Christ keep us in tune with each other, in step with each other.  None of this going off and doing our own thing.  May we cultivate thankfulness.  Let the Word of Christ have the run of our homes.  Let us give it plenty of room in our lives.  May songs pour from our hearts to God.  We want every detail of our lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of our Master Jesus.  Remind us to thank God the Father every step of the way (Colossians 3:15-17,The Message).

Father God, cause each of these women to honor their marriage and remain faithful to each other in every way. Holy One, we also ask that You protect each woman from every kind of impurity. Teach them to fear You rather than man. Enable them to resist the compromises that may be present in the surrounding culture. Holy Spirit, if any of the ladies are experiencing the unexpected journey of walking through the valley of their husband's sexual brokenness (or their own), and are living with feelings of distrust, shame, fear, anger, betrayal and grief, please guide them to the path of healing and healthy sexuality. Grant them courage to share their pain with someone during the Retreat. Our counselors are on site to listen and be a safe place for the ladies to unload and share their burdens. In Jesus' name, Amen.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 18

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Attendees: Jill, Martha and Celeste

Country: Costa Rica

Blessed are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of Your presence. They rejoice in Your name all day long; they exult in Your righteousness. For You are their strength (Psalm 89:15-17).

As we worship together, may You lead us to do so in Spirit and in truth.  Convict us of wrong-doing, draw us to repentance through confession and may we receive Your forgiveness and healing.  Free us from guilt and bondage; reveal truth to us. 

Lord, we ask that Your Spirit will reveal any areas of unforgiveness among Your workers. We battle an enemy who uses relational wounds to divide us in our goal of seeing Your Kingdom expanded. We pray against unforgiveness between team members (or national partners). May they have the grace to accept one another as they are, along with the wisdom and perseverance to work in unity.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

30 Days of Prayer: Day 17

Today, please pray for…

Retreat Staff: Debbie and Marilyn (Color Analysis Team)

Country: Spain

For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well (Psalm 139:13,14).

Lord, You know how many women struggle with self-esteem. We ask that You help these ladies live in truth and not belittle their value by dwelling in Satan's lies. Give them discipline, perseverance and creativity to take care of their bodies, and nourish their souls. Help them rekindle the desire to find and be consistent in having times with You where they are reassured that He knows their every need and cares. May their time at the Retreat lift their spirits and affirm their value and femininity.

When doing color analysis and makeovers, it is our desire for it to be a way of affirming the women's femininity, uniqueness and beauty. Let the appropriate touch be absorbed and cherished. May laughter and freedom reign. Guide us to pray for the ladies as You prompt and let them leave feeling beautiful. In Jesus' name, Amen.